Engaging Textbooks: Making Learning Interesting for Kids

[Greg Bernhardt]

What a great teaching opportunity! Why aren't more textbooks gears towards kids actual interests. Most problems are so dry. Include batman or Spider-Man and kids may actually be interested!

 

[Vahsek]

Haha, true say!

 

[nsaspook]

It's fun even for adults.
https://www.khanacademy.org/science..._formulas/v/impact-velocity-from-given-height Boring
http://www.shah3d.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Bateman-Physics-Dehahs-Final.png Fun.

 

[Andy Resnick]

What a great teaching opportunity! Why aren't more textbooks gears towards kids actual interests. Most problems are so dry. Include batman or Spider-Man and kids may actually be interested!

Kidding aside, this issue consistently generates huge amounts of discussion- presenting introductory physics to biology students is but one example- http://scitation.aip.org/content/aip/magazine/physicstoday/article/66/7/10.1063/PT.3.2046

There are many books out there as well, for example https://www.amazon.com/dp/1592405088/?tag=pfamazon01-20

Reasonable people can disagree about how to incorporate 'actual interests' (and what that even means) into the introductory physics curriculum. On one hand, we are supposed to tailor the material to each student's abilities and interests; on the other, we have to teach a standardized content.

A good example is the cell phone- everyone has one, but how to discuss it within the framework of an introductory physics class? Either the reality of the device is discussed, which is too complex, or the abstracted principles are discussed, which removes the relevance.

Finally, until the 'science of learning' is formally incorporated into professional training, we will continue to generate 'faith-based' teachers who develop a teaching practice according to what they think is most effective.

 

[nsaspook]

There are many books out there as well, for example https://www.amazon.com/dp/1592405088/?tag=pfamazon01-20

Thank you for that book suggestion, it's a perfect gift for someone I know.

 

[thegreenlaser]

I have mixed feelings about this sort of thing. For some people, it makes physics interesting. For other people, it just seems to reinforce the idea that physics isn't useful in "real life." (As in, why should I care about physics if it only let's me solve contrived situations in a made-up world?)

 

[gloriasakins]

Nice idea of actually creating interest in kids.

 

[Fredrik]

Thank you for that book suggestion, it's a perfect gift for someone I know.

You may also be interested in this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0465002048/?tag=pfamazon01-20

 

[sunny79]

Physics of the superheroes by James Kakalios is a fantastic book. I am currently reading it.
http://www.physicsofsuperheroes.com